Bowling pin setter



5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 29, 1950 Thomas E. Cross WMM BJ a@ Dec. 27,1955 Filed Sept. 29. 1950 T. E. CROSS BOWLING PIN SETTER 3 Sheets-Sheet2 [NVE/w01? Thomas E'. Cross Maz @Waff Dec. 27, 1955 T. E. cRoss2,728,575

BOWLING PIN SETTER Filed Sept. 29, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN Tof?T/zamas E. Cross @www (lit.

United States Patent O BOWLING Pm SETTER Thomas E. Cross, Des Moines,Iowa Application September 29, 1950, Serial No. 187,410 2 Claims. (Cl.273-42) This invention relates generally to bowling pin setting machinesand in particular to a pneumatic attachment for a pin setting machine ofsemi-automatic type.

Pin setting machines of semi-automatic type generally require only themanual loading of the pins within the setter frame, after which thesetter frame is power driven in a pin setting operation. These machines,although generally satisfactory, are objectionable in that they aregenerally bulky and expensive, the relative time required for thedescent and elevation of the setter frame is erratic and not readilyadjustable, and the setter frame is not properly controlled at a pinsetting position to accurately spot the pins, or to steady the pinsagainst any wobbling action on the alley prior to the movement of theframe upwardly from the alley. lt is desirable that the time period inwhich the setter frame rests on the alley be subject to variation so asto accommodate at or round bottom pins and to steady the pins inpositions on the alley corresponding to their relative positions asprovided for in the setter frame.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an improved pinsetting machine.

A further object of this invention is to provide an attachment for a pinsetting machine for automatically moving the setter frame in a pinsetting operation such that the setter frame is maintained in a pinsetting position for a pre-determined time interval prior to its beingelevated upwardly from the alley.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a semi-automaticpin setting machine in which the setter frame is moved downwardly by theaction of gravity, retained in a pin-setting position on the alley for apredetermined time interval, and then moved upwardly to a rest oruppermost position by an air operated means which is responsive inoperation to the up and down movement of the setter frame.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a pneumaticattachment for operating the setter frame of a pin setting machine whichis readily and easily installed on all pin setting machines nowcommercially available.

Further objects, features, and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent from the following description when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a foreshortened perspective view of the pneumatic attachmentof this invention for operatinglthe setter frame of a pin settingmachine;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional View taken on the line 2,-2 in Fig. 1showing an air valve unit for the attachment shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail fragmentary perspective view of a lockingmechanism for releasably holding the setter frame in an uppermost orrest position therefor;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailsectional view taken on the line 4-4 in Fig.3;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of an actuating member for controllingthe operation of the valve unit shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan elevational view of the actuating membershown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a sectional View of the actuating member as seen along theline 7-7 in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic showing of the air system for the pneumaticattachment of this invention;

Fig. 9 is a foreshortened rear elevational View of a pin setting machineembodying the attachment of this invention, and

Figs. 10 and 11 are fragmentary rear elevational views, illustratedsimilarly to Fig. 9 and show parts in changed positions.

With reference to the drawings there is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 apin setting machine which includes a main frame 15 of a substantiallyinverted U-shape having a transverse cross frame or base structure 16connected between the upper ends of a pair of legs or standards 17.Projected upwardly from the base structure 16 are a pair of transverselyspaced tubular guides 18 for slidably receiving a pair of slide members19, the lower ends of which are connected to the upper deck 23 of a pinsetter frame designated generally as 22. The setter frame 22 alsoincludes a lower deck 2l, connected to the upper deck 23, and anintermediate or floating deck 20, movable between the upper and lowerdecks 2l and 23, and carrying the usual pin setting shoes (not shown).

The main frame 15 and setter frame 22 are of a well-known constructionand form no part of the present invention. Bowling pins (not shown)placed in the upper deck 23 of the setter frame 22, are released forsetting the pins on an alley when the deck 20 is moved relative to thedecks 21 and 23 in a manner which is well known.

The attachment of this invention, indicated generally as 24 (Figs. l and9) is mounted on the base structure 16 of the main frame 15.Theattachment 24 is of pneumatic type and includes an upright doubleacting air cylinder 26, the lower end of which is supported on a bridgemember 27 of an inverted U-shape, with the legs 28 of the bridge member27 in turn being secured to a pair of transversely spaced longitudinalangle members 29 connected across frame members 31 and 32, whichcomprise the base structure-16 of the main frame 15.

The cylinder 26 is operatively associated with a vertically movablepiston or working member 30, provided with a connecting rod 32 the lowerend of which is secured at 33 with a plate member 34 mountedintermediate the ends of a transverse crossbar 36. Slidably extendedthrough the opposite ends of the crossbar 36 (Figs. 9 and 10) areupright hanger rods 37 the lower ends of which are secured to thefloating deck 20 of the setter frame 22. Coil springs 38 are mounted onthe rods 37 between the lower side of the crossbar 36 and holding nuts39, while nuts 41 on the rods 37 are engageable with the top side of thecrossbar 36, to provide what might be termed a yieldable lost motionconnection between the rods 37 and the crossbar. 36.

The admission of air under pressure to and the exhaust of air from thecylinder 26 are controlled by a valve unit designated generally as 42(Figs. 1 and 2) which comprises a substantially cylindrical casing' 43closed at its upper end by a cap member 44 and at its lower end by abase member 46. Inserted within the casing 43 is a removable bearingsleeve 47 which is held in assembled position within the casing 43 bytheY cap member 44 and the base member 46. The bearing sleeve 47 isformed with a series of longitudinally spaced perforations 48, 49, 51,52, and 53 which areangularly spacedvin rows about the sleeve 47. Theperforations 51 are in communication with or open to an air supply line54 which is connected to a suitable source of air under pressure such asan air tank 40, illustrated in Fig. 8.

The perforations 49 (Fig. 2) are connected with a feeder line 56 whichis in uid registration with the upper end of the cylinder 26, and theperforations 52 are connected to a feeder line 57 which is in uidcommunication with the lower end of the cylinder 26` The perforations 48and 53, at opposite ends of the bearing sleeve 47 are open to a commonair passage 58 extended longitudinally of the casing 43, and with theperforations 48, through the upper end 59 of the sleeve 47 being open tothe atmosphere through an air exhaust or outlet 61 formed in the cap 44and provided with a muler 62.

Mounted for reciprocal movement within the sleeve 47 is a pistonstructure 63 having a piston rod 64 extended outwardly from the basemember 46. Mounted about the piston rod 64 and within the sleeve 47 area pair of piston members or leathers 66 and 67, which are spacedlongitudinally of the piston rod 64 a distance corresponding to thedistance between adjacent rows of perforations 49, 51 and 52. Thisspacing of the piston members 66 and 67 is accomplished by theadjustable movement of the piston member 66 relative to the pistonmember 67. The piston member 66 is movable axially of the piston rod anda spring 68, mounted about the piston rod 64 between the pistons 66 and67, spreads the pistons into contact engagement with the bearing sleeve47.

The projected end portion of the piston rod 64 carries in order from thebase member 46 of the casing 43 a coil spring 71, a collar member 72 anda collar extension 73 which is spaced from the collar 72 for a purposeto appear later. The extension 73 carries a` spring pressed pin 74biased outwardly of the extension 73.

As best appears in Fig. 1 the valve unit 42 is arranged in a parallelrelation with the upright cylinder 26 so that the piston rod 64 isvertically movable relative to the casing 43. The base member 46 issecured as by bolts 77, to the top side 78 of a bracket member 79secured to one leg 28 of the bridge member 27.

Operation of the piston rod 64 to control the admis sion and exhaust ofair relative to the cylinder 26 is accomplished by means including anactuating member 81 (Fig. l) which has a shaft 82 extended transverselyof the main frame 15. The shaft 82 is rigidly supported on the bracket79 and a U-strap 83 secured as by bolts 84 to the bracket 79. One end 86of the actuating member 81 is engageable with the piston rod 64 whileits other end 87 extends toward the cylinder 26 so as to terminatesubstantially opposite the piston rod 32.

The actuating member 81 (Figs. 5, 6 and 7) is of a laminatedconstruction and includes a pair of side plates 91 for supporting whatmight be termed a knuckle assembly consisting of knuckle units 92 and93. The knuckle unit 92 is pivotally supported for up and down movementon a pivot pin 94 carried between the plates 91 and has the inner endthereof formed with a cam surface 96 which is engageable with followerportions 97 formed on members 98 mounted on the shaft 82. The knuckleunit 92 includes two side members 95 which project outwardly from themain body portion of the knuckle unit 92 and carry therebetween a shaftor pin for supporting a roller 90 therebetween.

Partially extended about the follower members 98 are stop members 99 ofa substantially L-shape which are mounted on bolts 101 carried betweenthe side plates 91 such that their long legs 102 extend longitudinallyof the actuating member 81 at positions above the shaft 82 and withthese legs 102 being of a length to engage the knuckle unit 92 at 10Swhen the knuckle units 92 and 93 are in longitudinal alignment. Statedotherwise, the legs 102 function as stop members to limit the pivotalmovement of the knuckle unit 92 to a position in longitudinal alignmentwith the knuckle unit 93, it being understood that the knuckle unit 93is comprised of the follower members 9S, and the stop members 99. 1n alongitu# dinally aligned position of the knuckle units 92 and 93 thefollower members 98 are held by a stop member 104 in positions forengaging the cam surfaces 96. The stop member 104 is connected betweenthe side plates 91 and extends transversely of the actuating member 81.

It is seen, therefore, that with the shaft 82 maintained in a xedposition the knuckle unit 92 is pivotally movable about the shaft 94relative to the knuckle unit 93. The unit 92 is yieldably biased to itsposition in longitudinal alignment with the unit 93 by a torsion spring103 secured at one end 105 to the shaft 82 and having its other end 106positioned about the pivot 94, so that the breaking or hinging movementof the knuckle unit 92 relative to the knuckle unit 93 takes placeagainst the pressure of the torsion spring 103.

As best appears in Fig. 6 the side plates 91 project outwardly from theknuckle unit 93. These projected por.

tions 107 constitute the end 86 of the actuating member 81 and arearranged in a straddling relation relative with the piston rod 64, ofthe valve unit 42 at a position between the collar member 72 and thecollar extension 73. Thus on pivotal movement of the actuating member 81about the shaft 82, in a manner to appear later, the piston rod 64 isvertically moved by the engagement of the projections 107 with thecollar member 72 or the collar extension 73.

This pivotal movement of the actuating member 81 is accomplished by theprovision of means including an operating or cam block 109 (Fig. l)which is Slidably supported for vertical up and down movement on a rodmember 111 projected upwardly from a mounting plateA 112 connectedbetween the angle members 29. Slidably extended through the cam block109 is an upright rod 113 the lower end of which is connected at 114 tothe mounting plate 34 carried on the crossbar 36. Loosely positionedabout the rod 113 and above the cam block 109 is a tubular stop member116 the lower end 117 of which rests directly on the cam block 109. 'Iheupper end of the rod 113 carries an adjustable nut assembly 115 which isengageable with the upper end 118 of the tubular stop 116 for a purposeto appear later. A second tubular stop 119 is positioned about the rod113 for engaging the underside of the cam block 109. It is seen,therefore, that as the setter frame 22, and in turn the rod 113 arevertically moved, that the rod 113 is capable of movement relative tothe cam block 109, which in turn is movable relative to both the rods113 and 111.

The setter frame 22 is normally releasably held in an uppermost or restposition by a latching mechanism 120 which includes a catch member 121(Figs. l, 3 and 4) carried on a bracket 122 projected upwardly from thecrossbar 36 at a position adjacent to the piston rod 32. A hook or latchmember 123, which is engageable with the catch member 121, is rigidlymounted on a rock shaft 124 extended longitudinally of the main frame 15and supported between the legs 28 of the bridge member 27. A manuallyoperated handle 126 of a U-shape has arm sections'127 arranged in astraddling relation with the bridge member 27 and pivotally supported attheir free ends 128 on the bridge member legs 28. Rock arms 129 mountedon opposite ends of the rock shaft 124 are positioned to the outside ofthe legs 28 and have one of their ends terminating in a pair of spacedstrap members 131 which carry a pin 132 for rotatably supporting aroller 133. Coil springs 134 are connected between the other ends 136 ofthe rock arms 129 and the angle member supports 29.

It is seen, therefore, that on downward movement of the handle 126, asviewed in Figs. 1 and 3, the rollers 133 are engaged by the arm sections127 whereby to rotate the rock shaft 124 in a counterclockwisedirection,

against the action of the springs `134 to release the hook 123 from thecatch member 121. When thus released the setter frame 22 is free to movedownwardly by the action of gravity toward a pin setting positiontherefor.

In the operation of the pin setting machine of this invention assume thesetter frame 22 to be in its uppermost or rest position, shown in Fig.9, as maintained by the latch mechanism 120. For this position of thesetter frame the knuckle units 92 and 93 of the actuating member 81 arein longitudinal alignment, and the actuating member 81 is in asubstantially horizontal position extended transversely of the machine.With the actuating member S1 in such position, the cam block 109 restson the roller 90 at the end 87 of the actuating member, and the pistonrod 64 of the valve unit 42 is in its neutral position, indicated infull lines in Fig. 2, at which no air is supplied under pressure to thecylinder 26. This neutral position of the piston rod 64 is defined bythe engagement of an upright push rod 150 mounted on the crossbar 36 andarranged so that its upper end 151 is engageable with the spring pressedpin 74 at the lower end of the piston rod 64.

On a release of the latching mechanism 120 the setter frame 22 movesdownwardly, by the action of gravity, to its pin setting position shownin Fig. 10, resting against the floor of the alley indicated at 153.During this downward movement, the setter frame 22 merely hangssuspended from the crossbar 36 on the rods 37 so that the coil springs38 are without any pressure. Further, by virtue of the slidable supportof the cam block 109 on the rods 111 and 113, the block 109 continues torest on the roller 90 of the actuating member 81 until the stop nut 115engages the upper end 118 of the tubular stop member 116. Thisengagement takes place concurrently with the resting of the setter frame22 on the alley floor 153 so that the cam block 109 is moved downwardlyto in turn provide for the pivotal movement of the actuating member 81in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 9 and 10, to movethe piston rod 64 upwardly. This upward movement of the piston rod 64moves the piston members 66 and 67 from their full line positions inFig. 2 to their dotted line positions indicated at A in Fig. 2 toprovide for the admission of air under pressure from the ports 51 andinto the ports 49 and through the air line 56 to the upper end of thecylinder 26. Admission of this air to the upper end of the cylinder 26moves the piston rod 32, cross member 36 and oating deck 20 downwardlyrelative to the setter frame 22 until the cam block 109 is moveddownwardly out of engagement with the roller 90 of the actuating member81. During this inal downward movement of the piston rod 32, the springs38 remain extended until the oating deck rests against the lower deck 21of the setter frame 22, at which time the pins are released to uprightpositions on the alley iloor 153. With the floating deck 20 resting onthe lower deck 21, the continued downward movement of the piston rod 32compresses the springs 38. During this time interval of compressing thesprings 38 it is seen that the setter frame 22 is maintained on thealley oor 153 so as to steady the pins against wobbling movement, afterthey have been placed on the alley oor.

On movement of the actuating member 81 out of engagement with the camblock 109, as illustrated in Fig. ll, the coil spring 71, which wascompressed during pivotal movement of the actuating member 81, actsagainst the collar 72 and the base 46 on the valve casing 43 to move thepiston rod 64 downwardly to a position such that the piston members 66and 67 are in their dotted line positions indicated at B in Fig. 2, sothat air under pressure is cut off from the top of cylinder 26 and isadmitted to the bottom of the cylinder 26.

On the admission of air under pressure to the lower end of the cylinder26 the piston rod 32 is moved upwardly to release the springs 38 and toengage the crossbar 36 with the adjusting nuts 41 on the hanger rods 7537,' whereby to elevate the setter frame 22 away from the alley oor 153.During this upward movement of the setter frame, the tubular stop 119engages and moves the cam block 109 to a position above the roller 90 onthe actuating member 81 concurrently with the moving of the catch member121 against the cam surface 154 on the hook 123, to a position forengagement with the hook. As the uppermost or rest position of thesetter frame is reached, the stop rod 150 engages the spring pressed pin74 and moves the piston rod 64 upwardly to a position providing for thelocation of the piston members 66 and 67 in their full line positionsshown in Fig. 2. With the shutoi of air under pressure to the lower endof the cylinder 26 the setter frame settles downwardly until the catchmember 121 drops within the hook 123. Concurrently with this settlingaction the cam block 109 drops to a rest position on the roller 90.

It is seen, therefore, that on actuation of the handle 126, the setterframe 22 moves downwardly to the alley floor 153 by the action ofgravity, is then maintained on the alley floor during the time intervalrequired for moving the piston rod 32 downwardly against the action ofthe springs 38 until the cam block 109 is out of engagement with theroller 90, and is then moved upwardly by the connecting rod 32 forautomatic locking in its upper or rest position by the latchingmechanism 120.

The time required for this cycle of operation of the setter frame 22, aswell as the rate of descent, the rate of elevation and the time intervalin which the frame rests on the alley floor 153 are readily varied bythe provision of means including a two-way valve unit 156 (Figs. 2 and8) connected in the line 57 for supplying air to the lower end of thecylinder 26, and an adjustable valve 157 connected in the line 56 foradmitting air to the .upper end of the cylinder 26. The valve 156includes a pair of longitudinal air passages 158 and 159 and a pair oftransverse air passages 161 and 162 open at opposite ends to thelongitudinal passages 158 and 159. A one-way ball valve unit 163controls the ilow of air in one direction through the longitudinalpassages 158 and 159, and a second one-way ball valve unit 164 controlsthe passage of air through the longitudinal passages 158 and 159 in areverse direction. Thus, and with reference to Fig. 2, when air underpressure is supplied to the lower end of the cylinder 26 the valve unit163 is opened and the valve unit 164 is closed. On the exhaust of airfrom the lower end of the cylinder 26, the valve unit 163 is closed andthe valve 164 is opened. Thus by adjusting the pressure of the springsacting on the ball valves 163 and 164 the rate of upward movement of thesetter frame 22 can be accelerated or decreased, and its downward rateof movement, by the action of gravity, can be retarded in accordancewith the air pressure built up under the piston 30. This retardingaction in the drop of the setter frame 22 by the action of gravity canalso be complemented by a manipulation of the valve 157 to increase ordecrease the ett'ect of suction pressure acting on the top side of thepiston 30.

This control action is best understood from a consideration of Fig. 8 inwhich it is seen that on the downward movement of the piston 30 thevalves 157 and 164 may be manipulated to open the cylinder 26, bothabove and below the piston 30, to the atmosphere through the exhaustoutlet 61, or to pressures either above or below an atmospheric pressureby a relative manipulation of the valves 157 and 164. It is to befurther noted that' the time period in which the setter frame 22 restson the alley floor 153 can be varied not only by the extent to which thevalve 157 permits air under pressure to be supplied to the upper end ofthe cylinder 26, but by varying the eiective length of the cam surfaceon the cam block 109, and the tension or pressure in the springs 38mounted about the hanger rods 37.

In the operation of a pin setting machine it is oftentimes necessary toraise the setter frame 22, before it has reached the floor of the alley153, as in the case where abowler prematurely delivers a bowling ball,or where all of the pins may not be properly positioned in the setterframe for release by the frame in a set position. For this purpose thereis provided on the shaft 82 (Fig. 1) a safety lever 175. Regardless ofwhat position the setter frame 22 might have, during its downwardmovement, on depression of the lever 175 to rotate the shaft 82 in aclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, the knuckle unit 93 of theactuating member 81 is moved downwardly so that the units 92 and 93 arefolded or moved relative to each other to provide for the unit 92 beingin a position relative to the unit 93 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7 toprovide for a movement of the pistons 66 and 67 in the valve unit 42 totheir dotted line positions shown at B in Fig. 2 for admitting air tothe lower end of the cylinder 26. During this clockwise movement ofknuckle unit 93, should the actuating member 81 be in engagement withthe cam surface 110 on the cam block 109, the knuckle unit 92 of theactuating member 81 is moved from its full line position shown in Fig. 7to its dotted line position shown in the same figure, to provide for theactuation of the valve unit 42 by the actuating member 81 through thesafety lever 175. On upward movement of the setter frame 22 to itsuppermost or rest position, as shown in Fig. 9, the setter frame isreleasably locked by the latching mechanism 120 and the actuating member81 and cam block 109 assume their positions shown in Fig. 9, in allrespects the same as when the operation of the setter frame 22 tookplace by the manually operated handle 126.

From the above description it is seen that the invention provides apneumatic attachment for a pin setting machine which is of a simple andcompact construction, capable of operating the setter frame 22 through apredetermined cycle and the relative rates of descent and elevation ofthe setter frame, as well as the time interval during which the setterframe rests on the alley oor 153 in a setting position, may berelatively varied to accommodate any desired pin setting operation. Itis further apparent that the attachment is easily and readily installedand applied to existing commercial setter frame and main framestructures, is positive in operation, and since it is automatic inoperation, after the pins have been loaded in the setter frame 22, thata minimum of time is required for the setting operation to in turnprovide for faster bowling games. In this respect, complete cycles ofoperation of the setter frame 22 have been made with the attachment ofthis invention in an overall time period of about six seconds, whilestill providing for a two# second' delay or hesitation of the setterframe on the alley floor, to properly locate or set the pins.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a preferredembodiment thereof it is to be understood that it is not to be solimited since changes and modifications can be made therein which arewithin the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

l claim:

1. ln a pin setting machine having a main frame and a setter framevertically movable between upper and lower positions therefor on saidmain frame, a floating deck mounted on said setter frame for verticalmovement between defined upper and lower limits, a pneumatic .unitmounted on said main frame and having a vertically movable workingmember, means yieldably connecting said working member with saidiioating deck, a valve unit for controlling the admission of air to andthe exhaust of air un'der pressure from said pneumatic unit, anactuating member for said valve unit, a slidable member cngageable withsaid actuating'member and mounted on said main frame for verticalmovement relative thereto, means for releasably locking said setterframe in the upper position therefor, means for releasing said lockingmeans to provide for the downward movement'of said setter trame and saiddeck by the action of gravity to the lower position for said setterframe, means for moving said slidable member to operate said actuatingmember when the setter frame` reaches the lower position to initiallyprovide for a pneumatically operated downward movement of said workingmember and said deck to move said deck to the lower limit therefor onsaid setter frame, pin depositing mechanism operated inkresponse tomovement of said deck to the lower limit therefor on said setter frame,with said means for moving said slidable member providing for furtherdownwardmovement of said working member against the action of saidyieldable connecting means so that the deck remains at said lower limitfor a predetermined time interval suicient for the pins to becomesteady, means for moving said slidable member out of engagement withsaid actuating member at the termination of said time interval toprovide for operation of said pneumatic unit to move said working memberupwardly to lift said setter frame to the upper position therefor, andmeans operatively associated with said working member for operating saidactuating member at said upper position of the setter frame to stop theadmission of air under pressure to said pneumatic unit.

2. ln a pin setting machine having a main frame and a setter framemounted for movement between lower and upper positions therefor on saidmain frame, means for releasably holding said setter frame in said upperposition, a floating deck movably supported on said setter frame forvertical movement between upper and lower positions therefor on saidsetter frame, pin depositing mechanism operated in response to movementof said deck to said lower position therefor, means for moving saidsetter frame including a double acting air cylinder mounted on said mainframe, a piston for said cylinder, means yieldably connecting saidpiston with said iioating deck, a valve unit for controlling theadmission of air under pressure to and the exhaust of air from saidcylinder including a control piston, means for releasing said setterframe for downward movement of the setter frame and the deck on saidmain frame by the action of gravity, and means for moving said controlpiston in response to the movement of said setter frame to the lowerposition therefor to admit air to said cylinder for initially movingsaid cylinder piston and said floating deck downwardly to the lowerposition of said deck on said setter frame and for tinally moving saidpiston downwardly against said yieldable connecting means while saidoating deck is 'in said lower position so that said oating deck isretained under pressure in said lower position for a predetermined timeinterval prior to upward movement thereof.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

